California Nursing Home Neglect Attorney

Nursing home neglect happens when a facility fails to provide the basic care, supervision, and safety that residents need. Neglect is different from intentional abuse. It often involves understaffing, poor training, skipped care, or unsafe conditions that lead to preventable harm.

When a nursing home fails to meet its duty of care, residents may suffer serious injuries such as falls, infections, dehydration, bedsores, medication complications, malnutrition, or worsening medical conditions. Families often do not discover the full extent of the neglect until the resident’s health declines or an emergency occurs.

The Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez represents residents and families throughout California in nursing home neglect cases. If you suspect a loved one has been harmed by neglect, you may have the right to pursue compensation and accountability under California law.

Nursing Home Neglect Is Often Hidden Until a Crisis Happens

Neglect is commonly caused by systems failures inside a facility, including understaffing, poor supervision, rushed care, inadequate training, and lack of proper safety procedures. Residents may be unable to communicate what happened, and facilities may minimize or misreport incidents.

In many cases, the signs appear gradually, such as unexplained weight loss, repeated falls, worsening hygiene, sudden confusion, pressure sores, or frequent hospital visits. Families may be told the decline is “normal aging,” even when the real cause is preventable neglect.

Early legal action can help preserve records, staffing logs, care plans, incident reports, and surveillance evidence before it is altered or lost.

Common Examples of Nursing Home Neglect

Nursing home neglect can take many forms. The most common scenarios involve basic care that is delayed, skipped, or handled improperly. Examples include:

• Failure to prevent falls or provide proper supervision
• Failure to reposition residents, leading to bedsores (pressure ulcers)
• Dehydration or malnutrition due to missed meals or inadequate monitoring
• Poor hygiene and unsanitary conditions leading to infections
• Medication errors, missed doses, or dangerous drug interactions
• Delayed medical care or failure to follow physician orders
• Failure to monitor residents at risk of wandering (elopement)
• Ignoring complaints of pain or changes in medical condition

Warning Signs Families Should Watch For

Neglect is not always obvious, especially if a resident has dementia or communication limitations. Warning signs may include:

• Unexplained bruises, fractures, or repeated falls
• Rapid weight loss, dehydration, or unusual fatigue
• Bedsores, infections, or wounds that are not treated properly
• Dirty clothing, poor hygiene, or strong odors in the room
• Sudden fear, withdrawal, depression, or major behavioral changes
• Frequent emergency room visits or hospitalizations
• Unexplained changes in medications or sedation

How Nursing Home Neglect Causes Serious Injury

Neglect can lead to serious and sometimes fatal injuries. Common injuries and conditions include:

• Hip fractures, head trauma, and other fall-related injuries
• Pressure ulcers and related infections
• Sepsis and systemic infection due to untreated wounds or illness
• Pneumonia and respiratory complications, including aspiration pneumonia
• Dehydration, kidney problems, and electrolyte imbalances
• Medication complications and dangerous side effects
• Worsening mobility, loss of independence, and long-term decline

Who May Be Liable

Neglect cases may involve multiple responsible parties. Depending on the situation, liability may include:

• The nursing home facility and its owners or corporate operators
• Administrators responsible for staffing and safety policies
• Nursing staff, aides, and caregivers who failed to follow care plans
• Outside contractors providing medical, dietary, or hygiene services
• Management companies controlling budgets, staffing, and training

Compensation in California Nursing Home Neglect Cases

When neglect causes harm, residents and families may be entitled to compensation, including:

• Medical expenses and hospital costs related to the neglect
• Future medical care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing needs
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life
• Disability, loss of mobility, and long-term impairment
• Out-of-pocket costs for transfers, additional care, or special equipment

If neglect results in death, the family may have wrongful death claims depending on the facts.

What Families Should Do if They Suspect Neglect

• Get the resident medical attention immediately if needed
• Document signs of neglect with photos and written notes
• Request medical records, care plans, and incident reports
• Identify witnesses, including other residents or staff if possible
• Do not rely solely on the facility’s explanation
• Contact an attorney early to preserve evidence and protect deadlines

Frequently Asked Questions

Is nursing home neglect different from nursing home abuse?
Yes. Abuse is typically intentional harm, while neglect is a failure to provide adequate care, supervision, or safety. Both can create legal liability, and neglect can be just as dangerous.

What if the facility says the injuries were caused by “old age”?
Facilities often blame aging to avoid accountability. A careful review of records, staffing, care plans, and medical evidence can show whether harm was preventable and caused by neglect.

What evidence is important in a neglect case?
Key evidence may include medical records, care plans, staffing logs, incident reports, photos, surveillance footage, and witness statements. Preserving evidence early is critical.

How quickly should I act?
Act as soon as possible. Records and footage can be lost, and legal deadlines apply. Early action also helps protect the resident from further harm.

Talk to a California Nursing Home Neglect Attorney

Nursing home neglect is often preventable, and residents deserve dignity, safety, and proper care. When a facility cuts corners or fails to provide basic supervision, families have the right to demand accountability.

The Law Office of Norman Gregory Fernandez is here to help. With nearly 30 years of California personal injury experience, our firm represents residents and families in serious neglect cases and fights to pursue full compensation and justice.

Call for a free consultation: 800-816-1529

Visit: thepersonalinjury.com

No fee unless we win.